Film-reeling device.



W. HEINZE.

FILM REELING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. H6.

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2 SHEETSSHEET I.

W. HEINZE.

FILM REELING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAR-7,1916.

%N WWM WN WILLIAM HEINZE, 0F DARBY, PENNSYLVANIA.

FILM RE-ELING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters-Patent.

Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

Application filedrMarch 7, 1916. Serial No. 82,554.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that L'WILLIAM HEINZE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Darby, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certainv new and useful Improvements in Film-Reeling-Devices, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to reeling devices, and particularly to mechanismfor windingor reeling the film employed in connection with movingpicture apparatus.

The primary object of theinvention is to provide means whereby there-winding of picture film after the same has been. run through theprojecting apparatusfmay be accomplished simultaneously with the operationof the picture projecting mechanism.

A further object of theinventionis to provide means whereby the energyemployed in operating the picture projecting apparatus may be utilizedto re-wind the film which may have been previously displayed.

A still further object of the invention is to, provide'simple andeificientmeans for ob-- viating the necessity of resorting to theadditional function of re-winding picture film after it has beendisplayed before another filnr can be shown.

A still further and particular object of the invention is to provide amechanism capable of application toany of the standard: types of pictureprojecting apparatus, which is simple and inexpensive in construction,which is composed of but few simple and readily assembled parts, whichparts are so arranged as to-prevent the least possibility of the samebecoming: broken, worn, or deranged during operation, and which willprove thoroughly practical and efiicient for the purposes towhich it isadapted.

lVith these objects in view, together with others which will appear asthe description proceeds, the invention residesin the novel. combinationand arrangement ofparts, all as will be described more fullyhereinafter,illustrated in the drawings and particularly, pointed out in the claims.I 1

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure-1 is a side elevation of a film reeling deviceconstructed. in accordancewith myinvention,Fig. 2 is aver-ticaltransversesection taken. through the; device,Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryvertical section. taken, through the casing for the device and.illustrating the association of the film reels,-Fig, 4 is a sectionalvview taken 01111118 4.-4 of Fig. 1,- and Fig. 5- is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view taken upon line 55. of Fig. 4.. 7

As is well known to those more intimately associated with. the art ofexhibiting film to produce animated pictures, it is necessary afterdisplaying each reel of film tore-windthe same, in order that it may bereeled properly for further display. Qrdinarily, for thispurposaseparate machines or reel.-

ing devices are employed, although in some apparatus the film isreversed through the 1 pro ecting mechanism, and the re-winding of thepicture strip or film by these methods not only devolves additionallaborupon the machine operator, but in someinstancesdelays theperformance to the annoyance and discomfiture of the audience. Again,the haste resorted to by the machine operators by these methods inquickly re-winding the film, often results inbreaking or tearing thepicture strip. The present invention aims to overcome these objections.

In carrying out the invention, the shaft commonly usedin projecting;apparatus for the accommodation of the empty spoolv or reel uponwhichthe film is: wound during the pictureprojecting operation, isarranged to loosely hold a reel which may be filled with, picture stripwhich. has-.been-preuiously exhibited, and a second shaft is arranged innear proximity to the first named shaft tobe' driven; thereby, andtocontainan empty spool or reel for the reception of the picture strip.contained upon the filled: spoolupon the first mentioned shaft. Ifdesired, the

two shafts may be so'intergeared that the second shaft will rotate; morerapidly than the first shaft, to insure a complete re-winding ofthe filmupon the filled spool regardless of the abbreviated length oftherpicture:

strip, being exhibited.

loo

More particularly, a casing 6 of suitable size, construction and shapeisarranged for the support. of a shaft: 7, which shaft is adapted tosupport and impart rotary movement to the film receiving spool or reel;8.; the film being'led to the spool 8' after it has been exhibitedthrough the opening:- 9 in. alinementi therewith. A. suitable bracket 10may, bev secured upon the exterior. of the casing. 6 rforithe.accommodation and, support of theshaft 7 a bushing: 11. being; arrangedwithin the; bracket 10,1and. the outer ex? tremity of the shaft 7 hassecured thereto a double pulley 12, having small and large beltreceiving portions 13 and 14 respectively. The portion of the shaft 7which extends within the casing is preferably of such diameter as toreceive the standard picture reels or spools, and a collar 15 may besecured to the shaft 7 by means of a screw 16, at the juncture of thesmaller with the larger portion of the shaft; a key 17 being arrangedupon the collar to extend a short distance longitudinally of the shaftfor engagement within. the key way 18 common to the usual moving picturereel. From this construction it is apparent that when the reel 8 isinserted upon the reduced portion of the shaft 7 with its key wayengaged by the key 17, and the shaft rotated, the spool 8 will operateto receive and Wind the picture strip delivered from the pictureprojecting mechanism. It is apparent also that when desired the reel 8may be readilyv withdrawn from the shaft.

The reduced portion of the shaft 7 is of such length as to extendpractically the entire width of the casing 6, and a bearing block 19 isarranged upon the door 20 adjacent the free end of the said shaft, thesaid block being provided with a suitable bore 21 for the accommodationand support of the free end of the shaft 7 when the door is in closedposition. The bearing block 19 is supported between a pair of brackets22, set-screws 23 being threaded through the said brackets and inengagement at their ends with the block 19, the arrangement providingmeans whereby the said block may be adjusted to properly aline the samewith the end of the shaft 7. The door 20 is of such size preferably asto cover the entire side of the casing, so that when swung to openposition upon its hinges 2A the entire interior of the casing will beeasy of access.

The spool or reel which is adapted to be rewound by the use of thedevice, is indicated at 25, and is adapted, to be positioned upon theshaft 7 next to the reel 8 so as to rotate thereon. A spring clip 26 maybe secured as at 27 to the end of the bearing block 19 to engage andexert slight pressure upon the side of the reel 25 to prevent movementof the latter longitudinally of the shaft, and to hold the reel 25snugly against the reel 8. Suitable spacing members or washers 28 may beinserted between the reels, between the collar 15 and the reel 8, andbetween the spring member 26 and the reel 25.

A second shaft 29 is mounted similar in manner to the shaft 7 adjacentthe lower part of the casing and parallel with the said upper shaft. Asuitable bearing block 30 is secured upon the interior of the casing 6for the support of the shaft 29, the said block having its bore providedwith a bushing 31 projecting beyond the casing to engage the inner faceof a belt pulley 32 secured upon said shaft in alinement with theenlarged portion 14 of the member 12 upon the shaft 7. The opposite endof the shaft 29 projects beyond the inner extremity of the block 30, andis provided with a key 33 for engagement within the standard key wayupon the picture reels. The arrangement is such that when a spool orreel 3 is inserted upon the inner end of the shaft 29, and the cap 35applied to the shaft end, the spool or reel 3 1 will be in alinementwith to receive picture strip or film from the spool or reel 25 mountedfor rotation upon the shaft 7. A belt 36 may be passed over the portion1st of the member 12, and over the belt pulley 32 upon the shaft 29 forthe purpose of imparting power from the first to the second shafts, andif desired this belt may be crossed to drive the second shaft in adirection reverse from that of the first. It is also found desirable tohave the belt pulley 32 smaller in diameter than the portion 14, inorder that the shaft 29 may rotate more rapidly than theshaft 7. Poweris imparted to the shaft 7 by means of a belt 37 driven by suitablemechanism upon the projecting machine, the said belt passing over theportion 13 of the member 12.

In operation, an empty picture film reel or spool 8, is inserted uponthe shaft 7 with its key way engaged by the key 17, and the end of thepicture film to be exhibited is secured to the said reel. A reel of filmwhich it is desired to rewind, is inserted upon the shaft 7 and is freeto rotate thereon. The end of the film contained upon the filled reel isconnected to the emty reel 34 secured to rotate with the shaft 29, andthe cap 35 is secured over the end of the shaft 29 to prevent the reelbecoming disengaged therefrom. The door 20 is then closed, and thebearing block 19 receives the free end of the shaft 7 within its bore.The spring element 26 upon closing of the door engages the reelcontaining the film to be re-wound and holds the same against lateral.or wabbling movement upon the shaft 7. Upon operation of the pictureprojecting apparatus, rotary movement will be imparted through the belt37 to the shaft 7, whereupon the film being exhibited will be wound uponthe reel 8. Rotary movement is transmitted from the shaft 7 to the shaft29 by means of the belt 36, and the film contained upon the reel 25 willbe wound upon the reel 34 carried by the latter shaft. By reason of themore rapid rotation of the shaft 29, the film upon the reel 25 will becompletely transferred in correct display position to the reel 34 beforethe receiving reel 8 is filled. The spring element 26 by its engagementwith the loose reel 25 acts as a brake for the latter to prevent racingof the same during the operation of the device. By this arrangement itis obvious that the films may be rewound at the same time that otherpicture film is being exhibited, and by the construction shown, thevarious film reels may be quickly and easily removed or transferred fromone shaft to the other.

While in the present instance I have illustrated and described myinvention in what appears to me to be its most practical form, I amaware that the construction set forth is susceptible of various minorchanges in form and details, and I reserve to myself the right to makesuch changes as I may deem practicable or desirable without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

I claim.

1. In a device of the class described, a

casing, a door hingedly connected to said casing, a pair of shaftsmounted in spaced relation within said casing, a bracket upon the innerface of said door, a bearing block, a screw connecting said bearingblock and said bracket, the said bearing block being adapted to engageand support one of said shafts when said door is in closed position, andmeans for rotating said shafts, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, a casing, a door for said casing,a pair of shafts mounted in spaced relation Within said casing, abracket on said door, a bearing block, a screw member connecting saidbearing block and said bracket whereby theone end of one of said shaftswhen said door 7 is closed, a spring member secured to said bearingblock and extending adjacent said shaft, and means for rotating saidshafts, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, a casing, a door hingedlyconnected to said casing and adapted to close oneside thereof, a pair ofshafts mounted in spaced parallel relation within said casing, a reelfixed to rotate with one of said shafts, a reel mounted for rotationupon said shaft, a bearing block upon said door adapted to engage theend of said shaft when said door is closed, a spring member secured tosaid bearing block and adapted to engage said loose reel when said dooris closed, a reel fixed to the other of said shafts and in alinementwith said lose reel, a cap for engagement over the end of said secondshaft, and means for rotating said shaft, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM HEINZE.

Witnesses:

JOHN CONGLETON, JOSEPH HALLAS, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

